[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 20, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54941-54943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7945]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25850; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-128-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes. This proposed 
AD would require revising the maintenance inspection program that 
provides for inspection of principal structural elements (PSEs) and 
replacement of safe-life parts, to incorporate a new revision to the 
MD-11 Airworthiness Limitations Instructions. The revision would reduce 
inspection intervals for fatigue cracking of certain PSEs, and expand 
the inspection area for a certain other PSE. This proposed AD results 
from a revised damage tolerance analysis. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct fatigue cracking of certain PSEs, which could 
adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 6, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and 
Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for the service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen Moreland, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5238; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your

[[Page 54942]]

comments to an address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the 
docket number ``FAA-2006-25850; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-128-AD'' 
at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on 
the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of 
the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing 
date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD.
    Using the search function of that Web site, anyone can find and 
read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the 
individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    Boeing has completed a revised damage tolerance analysis of certain 
principal structural elements (PSEs) on Model MD-11 and MD-11F 
airplanes. Boeing repeated the analysis to address additional crack 
growth scenarios as a result of in-service cracking and to correct the 
crack growth analysis spectrum which it found to underpredict 
operational loading. These new data indicate that the initial and 
repeat inspection intervals to detect fatigue cracking for certain PSEs 
must be revised.
    The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect 
fatigue cracking of several wing PSEs and a tail pylon PSE. This 
fatigue cracking, if not detected and corrected, could adversely affect 
the structural integrity of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing MD-11 Airworthiness Limitations 
Instructions (ALI), Report Number MDC-K5225, Revision 11, dated March 
2006. Among other things, Revision 11 of the ALI reduces certain 
initial and repeat intervals for inspections for fatigue cracking of 
certain PSEs, and expands the inspection area for a certain other PSE. 
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require operators to incorporate the Boeing MD-11 ALI, 
Report Number MDC-K5225, Revision 11, dated March 2006, into the 
applicable maintenance and inspection program.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 102 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 93 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed maintenance and inspection program revision 
would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of 
$80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the 
proposed AD for U.S. operators is $7,440, or $80 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2006-25850; Directorate Identifier 
2006-NM-128-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 
6, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -
11F airplanes, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to incorporate new inspections for fatigue

[[Page 54943]]

cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs). Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes 
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the 
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able 
to incorporate the inspections described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according 
to paragraph (h) of this AD. The request should include a 
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure 
the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA 
has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular 
(AC) 25-1529.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a revised damage tolerance analysis. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of 
certain principal structural elements (PSEs), which could adversely 
affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Revision of Airworthiness Limitations Section

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise 
the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness, Airworthiness Limitations Instructions 
(ALI), according to a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Boeing MD-11 ALI, Report 
Number MDC-K5225, Revision 11, dated March 2006, is one approved 
method.
    (g) Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: After the 
actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD have been done, no 
alternative inspection intervals or replacement times may be 
approved for the PSEs and safe-life limited parts specified in 
Boeing Report Number MDC-K5225, Revision 11, dated March 2006.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by accomplishing the actions in this 
AD, if it is approved by an Authorized Representative for the Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option Authorization Organization 
who has been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make 
those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.
    (3) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 12, 2006.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. 06-7945 Filed 9-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P